something to think about

As a society, we have become more detached from each other, more distant towards people we meet and more disengaged from society. Much of this had to do with the continual advancements in technology Cell phones, tablets, app’s and social media have become the common place way we have chosen to communicate. As such, we have lost the art of conversation, writing letters to each other and face to face communication.
We have become less focused on our communities and neighbors in favor of online communities, where we can remain anonymous, hidden by the screens of our computers and cell phones. We can choose whom we wish to talk to, and block others that we do not like, we can take videos showing terrible events, and even more disturbing, the individual not intervening to stop a fight at school, or another student being bullied.
We have become a society of people who wish to have everything at our finger tips, instantly. While not taking the time to know or understand each other.
The question must be raised, what does this have to do with a ministry, or church or even our communities at large? The simple answer is it have everything to do with it.
This is not to say that advancement in technology is a bad thing in and of itself. It is however, our willingness to replace our humanity with an electronic device. For a church or ministry, the community, members joined together for a common cause or belief, is at its core the very essence of people joining together with the Body of Christ, as a community that is capable of not only worship, but also community action. Assisting the elderly, stepping in when we see something is not right, or contacting law enforcement or fire and medical services when they are needed.
The church is a community of faith, a community of individuals, working together for the betterment of themselves and those around them. This is by no means a Christian thing, this is a humanity thing. We are all connected to each other, we are all human, we all occupy the same planet, we all live in communities where we can make positive change occur. We are bound together by basic human dignity, compassion, we are joined together (either faith based or secular based individuals) to engage and join with others to make our world a better place for everyone.
This week I offer a challenge, place your phone, or tablet or computer away for one hour, do not be distracted, rather become active in some way. Maybe taking a walk and enjoying nature, may talk to your neighbor, or say something nice to the person who is checking out your groceries. No matter what you choose to do, let us place away our distractions, for a time, and see what we have been missing.
 
Pastor Lisa 
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